Article catch device for outflow passages



Nov. 9, 1954 H. M. LEHMANN 2,693,603

ARTICLE CATCH DEVICE FOR OUTFLOW PASSAGES Filed Feb. 21, 1952 INVENTOR. HEEMFIN MA; ,ZE MAN/v B I WWW ARTICLE CATCH DEVICE "non oUTFLow ("I J ,PASSAGIEVS'. y

Th nv n ion. relates to. devices, designed for use to prevent the clogging of toilet bowls by articles such as wash cloths, l1eavy. paper, .Kle.enex,,and various,.other l' iG Q ..Qbjfi hi h... lay/accident, -inadvertence or or otherwise are dropped into.but which should not be disposed of through the toilet bowl.

More specifically stated, the present invention pertains o ede icei s g edtobe .applied. within the outlet of the bowl to catch and retain such articles for removal so that they will not enter, and possibly clog the bowl outlet or the sewer connections.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a device for the above-stated purpose that is relatively simple in construction; that can be easily and quickly applied without a plumbers aid; that will in no way interfere with the normal use and operation of the toilet in its intended manner; that will not retain toilet paper as ordinarily used and which will last for an indefinite period.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide devices of the above stated kind, that can be readily applied to any of the standard or present day toilet bowls, and which requires no change or alteration in the bowls or sewer connections in order that they can be applied.

Further objects of the invention reside in the details of construction and combination of parts embodied in the device and in the mode of application and manner of use of the device as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the present invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in one of its preferred forms of construction.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with this invention, of an alternative form.

Fig. 3 is a view showing a typical toilet bowl in cross section, and illustrating the place and manner of applying the device of this invention to the bowl outlet.

Fig. 4 is a view showing an alternative form of catch hook for use with the present device.

The present invention is intended to be used to prevent the trouble, and expense that is caused by persons, usually children, carelessly or inadvertently throwing such articles as Wash cloths, newspaper, heavy paper that will not readily disintegrate when wet, and various other articles, in the toilet bowl, it being well known that such articles may and do frequently clog the bowl outlet or clog the sewer connections. The invention anticipates that the device shall be easy to apply; will not in any way interfere with normal use of the toilet; which will catch and retain any article which is apt to cause trouble in the bowl or disposal connections of the toilet.

The utility of the present device is enhanced by reason of the fact that practically all present day to1let bowls have outflow channels of substantially the same diameter, and all flushing toilets operating in substantially the same manner. While various bowls difier somewhat in design, they do not differ in any material respect in those parts with which the present device is applied. Therefore, it is to understood that in the present illustration of a toilet bowl, this is intended to be representative of any one of those which are now in general use.

n ,iSirt-ate Pat fi t? J 1 leading from the bottom thereof.

Referrin g more in detail to the drawings-H. 1 In Fi (3,1 have shown atypical toilet closet of flushei ing ,or washdowntype, designated in its entirety byref. erence numeral 10 It comprises the bowl portion r11: with upwardly and rearwardly directed outflow channel 12 This channel leads upwardly to suflicient; height above the entrancethereto. from the bowl as'to form a'water, seal. The. channel thenturns;downwardlyand connects to the sewer pipe n s'u lw y..

The device of this application; is designed for appliw cation or; removal through the top. opening of the bowl,

to the inlet portion of the outflow channel 12. In its present preferred form of construction the device com-. prises an expansible ring ,20 adapted to be received in the channel 12, and to be held:where placed byqreason of itsgt'endency to expand. Attached to the band, and extending upwardly and rearwardly into the channel 12, is a-hook 21 with back turned and sharpened.point.21';.

In' its presentpreferred construction, the ring .20 .is made froma single flat striptof springsteel. This-strip; is sprung into circular-form, with its opposite'end portions extended in opposite; directions and .flatly. .OYQI'r; lapped one with the other. At each of the ends of the strip, flat loops 24 are fixed thereto, and each of these slidably receive the band therethrough. In this way the circular form is retained while the band is permitted to be contracted. The resiliency of the strip causes it to be expanded and to fit itself tightly in any channel up to a maximum; this pressure being sufficient to hold the device functionally in place. In lieu of employing a spring steel strip to form the ring, it has been found practical also, to use plastic strips, or metal other than steel. Furthermore, while it is desirable, as considered from the standpoint of quick and easy application of the device to employ the expansible ring, it is also practical to employ a ring of fixed diameter, with friction knobs or bands applied thereto for retaining it properly in the outflow channel 12 by reason of its closeness of fit.

The hook 21 employed as a part of the device has a shank portion 21x extended in an upward curve from the bottom of the ring to about the center of the channel, and there formed with the sharpened hook. Also, it is desirable that the shank be flattened and sharpened along its inside edge, as seen at 28 in Fig. 1, leading up to the hook in order to cause cutting and an easier passage of the usually used toilet paper. The attached end of the hook shank preferably is flattened in such manner as to avoid to the greatest possible extent, the catching of any material on it.

A device presently in use has a ring that is adjustable to a maximum of 3%" in diameter, and the hook shank is about 4" long.

In Fig. 2, I have shown an alternative form of device wherein the ring and hook are both formed from a single and continuous strip of spring wire. This wire is formed at one end with a hook shank 30 and back turned point 30, corresponding to the hook of the first described device, and the remainder of the wire is formed into a helical, contractible and expansible coil 31 of several turns. This coil can be manually diametrically retracted and when retracted can be placed in the bowl channel 12. Upon release, it automatically expands to the full diameter of the channel and holds itself in place by the expanding pressure against the channel walls.

While I have shown the present device as having but one catch hook, more may be used if so desired. However, when more than one is used, there is a greater chance that the passage may become clogged by toilet paper.

In Fig. 4, I have illustrated use of a two pointed hook. In this device the hook shank 21x is bifurcated and each of its two branches has a back turned, sharpened point. These points should be about one inch apart for best results.

Devices of the kind herein shown will operate to catch and retain such articles as wash cloths, heavy paper, rags, string and other articles which are apt to cause sewer or sewer connection clogging. Such devices can be easily and readily applied by a layman, and just as easily removed if such is desired. To prevent rust of metal parts, the device would be rubber or plastic coated or otherwise treated. Furthermore, the hooks might be made and applied in various ways other than shown without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Objects, such as wash cloths, heavy paper, etc., when caught by the hook do not ordinarily remain in the channel, but float back into the bowl for easy removal, after the flushing operation has stopped.

It has been found that by so forming the hook shank that a short portion thereof, which is immediately adjacent the ring, will extend along and bear against the channel wall, there will be no possibility of the device turning sidewaysand becoming displaced from position.

While I have shown the present device as applied to a toilet bowl, it is anticipated that such devices be made in various sizes, as may be required, to adapt them for use in drains, outlets, or catch traps, other than toilets, wherever there is a possibility of clogging by rags, paper, etc.-

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a resilient member of ring-like form adapted to be compressed for application within a tubular outflow passage and by reason of its resiliency to expand after application thereto and upon release, to effect its functional securement in the passage by its expanding pressure against the passage walls, and an article catch element comprising a shank fixed at one end to the resilient member and extending away from the resilient member and toward the center thereof, the free end 'of the catch element being reversely bent upon the shank with the ultimate end being sharpened to a hook-like structure, the hook-like structure extending into the direction of flow through the passage so as to engage and prevent the outflow of passage obstructing material.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the catch element member is bifurcated at its free end and includes a plurality of hook-like structures.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein the device is formed from a single and continuous strip of spring wire.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 802,537 Uren Oct. 24, 1905 999,106 Hagaman et al. July 25, 1911 1,982,132 Boles Nov. 27, 1934 2,614,878 Ziemke Oct. 21, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 20,596 Great Britain Nov. 26, 1891 

